June 30, 2018
Email Numero Uno!!! Week 1
Hola familia!!!!
I hope you all are doing SO well. I've loved getting to hear from a lot of you this week through Dear Elder and emails. Thanks a million for all the support!! First, and most importantly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIK!!! Big 1-0 is a huge birthday! I hope you have an awesome day full of probably Boomers and Fortnite! Love you buddy!! Also, mom, the cinnamon rolls were DEVOURED. Everyone loved them and now everyone knows that I've got the best missionary mom ever! The Pringles too were so amazing, I got it yesterday and I'm breaking into them now. Gracie, thanks also for all the cookies! You know those snickerdoodles are my favorites. I loved seeing your note:). I hope everything is going so great back home, I love you guys!
So this week has been longer than usual, since last week we couldn't get a P-day. My district is a pilot program for a new way of teaching in the MTC. It's really crazy, they're pushing us super hard, but both Hermano Ghering and Hermana Southhard are awesome, and do a real good job teaching Spanish and the scriptures. We're in a room with a one way mirror, so other teachers can observe us. It's really strange, we feel like guinea pigs Since the 2nd day I've gotten here, I've prayed entirely in Spanish. The gift of tongues is so real. There is no way that could ever happen WITHOUT the Lord's help.
When I showed up at the MTC I met my companion, Elder Cogswell. He's from a town called Denton, just a few minutes outside of Dallas, TX. He's a really fun guy to be around, and we laugh a lot. We've had an awesome time coming up with funny spanish phrases. Frescas frijoles, you know? 😁He played football in HS and has an awesome voice and is super good in music. It's so cool! The MTC is really great, I've never felt the Spirit so many times consecutively, while also laughing a lot. You find joy in the simplest things, like Taco Bell Tuesday's, and saying hi to the Mandarin speaking missionaries in Mandarin. Our zone is great, lots of quality people, majority from Utah. Our zone leaders are like Fred and Ted, one is super tall and the other super short, but one is going to play for BYU basketball after his mission. I'll let you guess which one haha.
We had a blessing of getting to have all the new mission president get set apart this week. So President Guthrie and Sister Guthrie were here, and it was great! I got to talk with them almost everyday. They are so excited for Houston and took off yesterday morning. While the mission presidents were here, every member of the 12 apostles and presidency of the church was here. We ended up having a devotional, with ALL of the 12 present, while Elder Cook gave an amazing talk on relationships to strengthen during your mission. I sang in the choir during that devotional, and it felt like I was hit by a bus of the Spirit. Such a confirmation that these men are called of God to share and lead the Church.
We then got to watch a talk later on by Elder Bednar. HIGHLY recommend this talk. It was called the Character of Christ. It was talking about how we can't be just converted to the church, we need to be converted to Christ and his gospel. By studying the life of Christ and his characteristics. I remember BG talking about him studying Christ's life in the New Testament especially. That's one thing that I'm working on. Exemplifying Christ. Alma 25:5-6. If you're converted to the Lord, not just the church, you won't fall away from reaching the ultimate goal.
We later had a morning we had to do service. Elder Cogswell and I were in charge of scrubbing toilets. You'd be surprised how clean the Elders toilets are, not going to lie. It was actually nice.
Oh also, every time we go to sleep, we hear a lot of banging upstairs. For the first bit we ignored it, but then after a few nights we asked what it was to the rest of the zone. Apparently the 4th floor is the Polynesian floor, and the play rugby up there until way late. Super crazy! Hahaha, it's been a great experience, I've never smiled so much!
I've loved hearing from all of you, I love you so much, and hope everything is great. Hearing about Mele's modeling gig is so awesome. I love hearing about all of your lives. Will forever love you all, and I am praying for you all... in Spanish of course.
Hope you all have such an amazing week! Love hearing from you! The gospel and church is true!
Brett
Elder Brett Hansen
JUL30 TX-HOUS
2005 N 900 E Unit 152
Provo, UT 84602
Pics below: The District in the elevator,
me with Elders Cogswell, Odey, and Thomas,
The Provo temple we went to this morning,
Elder Sam Bennett,
and then the District part 2
wonderful post. God Bless and enjoy spreading the Gospel!
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